Do You Have Frozen Shoulder

Adhesive Capsulitis or more commonly known just as a frozen shoulder, is a condition in the shoulder area which limits the range of motion. When tissues in the shoulder become tighter and thicker and scar tissues develop in the shoulder joint area, it results in what we call a frozen shoulder. Scar tissue develops over time. This condition leaves inadequate space for the shoulder joint to rotate properly. For someone trying to diagnose a frozen shoulder, the common symptoms include stiffness, pain and swelling, while this condition likely develops among individuals between the age of 40-60.

Causes of a frozen shoulder

Despite the fact that one may be prone to inflammation in the joints, the patient may also be suffering from diabetes, hormonal imbalance, or an immune system weakened due to various factors. At times, a person may endure a long period without any activities, due to many reasons, including nursing an injury, illness or may have undergone some surgery, thus being out of action for a long time.

Due to this inactivity, the joints area of one’s body, especially the shoulder joint area becomes vulnerable to adhesions and inflammation, which are the bands of frozen tissue. In more severe cases, however, there might be a formation of scar tissue. All these factors end up restricting one’s range of motion, while the condition itself takes somewhere between two to nine months to develop in the body.

Symptoms of a frozen shoulder

The first signs of awareness of a frozen shoulder come when it starts hurting too much, followed by limited movements in the area. The main symptom here is stiffness, which increases with time, as the shoulder movement becomes lesser and lesser. Soon enough, even reaching for an item using the necessary rotational movement becomes a difficult task, and soon the realisation of not being able to move the shoulder freely and as before strikes. As it keeps getting severe, even small day to day tasks become difficult to execute, and this is when the frozen shoulder has reached an acute state.

Who is likely suffer from this condition?

A condition such as the frozen shoulder is a likely occurrence in someone in their middle age, especially women, while the categorised age group is likely between 40-60. People who have diabetes have three times greater chance of being diagnosed with this condition. Others who might be at risk are the people who have been wearing a shoulder sling, which is usually for an extended time following a surgery or injury or the ones who remain still for long periods due to the same reasons. People with thyroid disorders also remain at risk.

Diagnosis

If there are symptoms of stiffness and frozen shoulder pain, it’s time to see the doctor. The doctor will start by observing your precise movements during a thorough physical exam meant for diagnosing a frozen shoulder. This examination involves following the patient’s measure range of motion in the shoulders and includes exercises like touching a distant part, awkward angles and simple things such as touching the opposite shoulder.

If the doctor deems fit, there might be other tests involved. These may include an MRI. The MRI is conducted essentially to see if there is a tear in the rotator cuff or other pathology. X-rays might also have to be taken to check for arthritis and other abnormalities, and at times the doctor may suggest the use of Arthrogram. An arthrogram is a process of injecting dye into the shoulder joint so the doctors could vision the structure correctly.

Frequent questions a doctor might ask

– On symptoms and the impact symptoms, one may have to the day to day tasks, at home or outdoors.

– On the amount of pain suffered by the patient

– If the pain has any effect on sleep

– If any pre-existing medications the patient might be taking.

– If the patient has prior experience with this condition or had undergone any treatment for the same or any other problems surrounding the shoulder area.

– Any movements or kind of treatments that would have aggravated the pain in the shoulders.

Usually, if a person is diagnosed with this condition of a frozen shoulder, there are multiple ways of treating, although the common ones include, Physical therapy, medication, surgery and home care. While most importantly, the idea is to keep the condition from aggravating or even forming in one’s body with prior care. Consult your physician and know more about how you could avoid this situation altogether, maybe by physical activities or through medications.

ABOUT THE HOSPITAL

Sai Sanjeevini Multi Speciality Hospitals A Unit Of Singapanga Healthcare Pvt. Ltd Has Been Providing Health Services To The People In Need For The Last 14 Years. This Health Care Organisation Combines Practical, Proven Research, Cutting Edge Procedures And State-of-the-art Treatment To Produce Excellent Medical And Lifestyle Outcome For Our Patients. We also have a wide array of specialties including Pulmonology, Neurology, Gynecology and are pioneers among all Orthopedic Hospital in Hyderabad.

About the doctor

Dr. Anjaiah is a reputed Orthopedic doctor in Hyderabad with an experience of 22 years in this field. Dr. Anjaiah practices at Sai Sanjeevini Hospitals in Kothapet, Hyderabad. He completed MBBS from Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad in 1991 and MS – Orthopaedics from Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad in 1994. All his patients trust him with their bones and also their lives. So Book your Appointment now.

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